Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
Two angles in a triangle are 67° and 89°. What is the third angle?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 24°
How to work it out
The angles in a triangle add up to 180°: 180 − 67 − 89 = 24°.
King Edward VI Aston School: 11 Plus entry
A state grammar school in Birmingham for boys, with entry at 11+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.
At a glance
- Type
- Grammar school
- Pupils
- Boys
- Area
- Birmingham, West Midlands
- Entry
- 11+
- Entrance test
- West Midlands 11+ (Birmingham & Walsall)
- Tested
- Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
- Competition
- Highly selective
- Prism’s suggested target
- 85% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the West Midlands 11+ (Birmingham & Walsall)
The Birmingham consortium and neighbouring grammars use two GL papers mixing English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
| Stage | Paper | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test day | Paper 1 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| Test day | Paper 2 | 60 | 60 minutes |
Paper formats are indicative and change from year to year. Always check the current arrangements with the school or local authority.
How to prepare
The West Midlands 11+ (Birmingham & Walsall) covers maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.
For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.
Verbal reasoning is a set of learnable question types, such as letter codes, hidden words and word analogies. Learning each type, then practising it against the clock, lifts scores quickly.
Non-verbal reasoning is about spotting patterns in shapes: rotations, reflections, sequences and matrices. Short, regular sessions work better than long ones.
Practice questions in the style of the test
Written by Prism in the style of the test, not taken from any school’s papers.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, The dog's bowl was empty.
How to work it out
- The correct sentence is: The dog's bowl was empty.
- An apostrophe shows missing letters (can’t) or that something belongs to someone (the cat’s).
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Three of these words go together. Which two words do not belong with them?
cabbage, plum, banana, carrot, spinach
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, plum and banana
How to work it out
spinach, carrot, cabbage are all vegetables. plum and banana are fruits.
Why the other options are wrong
- B (plum and spinach): spinach belongs with the vegetables; only plum and banana do not.
- C (cabbage and plum): cabbage belongs with the vegetables.
- D (banana and carrot): carrot belongs with the vegetables; only plum and banana do not.
- E (carrot and spinach): These are both vegetables, like cabbage.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure is the odd one out?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A
How to work it out
- In each figure the number of dots matches the number of sides of the shape, except the odd one out.
- Shading and angle are distractors.
Other selective schools in Birmingham
Questions parents ask
What entrance test does King Edward VI Aston School use?
King Edward VI Aston School uses the West Midlands 11+ (Birmingham & Walsall), which tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for King Edward VI Aston School?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 85% consistently in practice for a highly selective school. This is Prism’s own estimate, not a figure from the school, and no score guarantees a place.
When should my child start preparing for King Edward VI Aston School?
Most families start in Year 4 or early Year 5, then practise timed papers during the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
Preparing for King Edward VI Aston School?
Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.
Start the free assessmentPrism Learning is not affiliated with King Edward VI Aston School. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.